Quest-Sep-2014
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St John the Baptist Scottish Episcopal Church Perth Q U E S T Sep–Oct 2014 www.scotland.anglican.org www.standrews.anglican.org St. John the Baptist Scottish Episcopal Church Princes Street, Perth, PH2 8LJ Scottish Charity Number SC 011398 www.episcopal-perth.org.uk 01738 634999 In partnership with the Scottish Association of Retired Anglican Clergy Contents Contacts ���������������������������������3 Traidcraft Christmas catalogue ���� 11 ‘All Is Safely Gathered In’ ............4 Harvest Thanksgiving ���������������� 11 Welcoming Our New Rector ..........5 Commemorating the First World Picnic in Comrie, 16th August ........6 War .................................. 12 ‘Interim’ No Longer! ...................7 The ongoing tragedy in Iraq �������� 13 From the Registers .....................8 Peacemaking Sunday ................ 13 Lectionary �������������������������������8 Senior Bishop condemns rising Church Diary ............................9 wave of violence in Gaza ........ 14 Referendum Prayer .................. 10 Still Pilgrims Together ��������������� 15 GLEN ‘14 .............................. 10 Christian Aid Harvest ................ 16 Cover image: Pears in the garden. Photo: Bruce Cameron. Contacts Interim Pastor Rt Revd Bruce 01821 650482 Cameron [email protected] Lay Reader Lis Burke 624150 Church officers (Mail to be sent to church office) Rector's Warden Mary Emma Strange 01821 642120 People's Warden David Willington 813787 [email protected] Administrator Heather Elliott [email protected] Lay Representative Jean Hendry 623603 Alternate Lay Rep Graham Kingsley-Rowe Vestry Secretary Judy Norwell [email protected] Treasurer David Roemmele [email protected] Protection of Vulnerable Malcolm Moore 639963 Groups [email protected] Director of Music Alison Grant 625394 [email protected] Team Convenors Casting the Net Lis Burke 624150 Ministry and Pastoral Alan MacPherson 552337 Finance and Stewardship Mary Emma Strange 01821 642120 Communications Rhiannon Miller 625903 [email protected] Children and young people Jean Hendry 623603 Buildings and Eco David Maclehose 636147 Social Christine Bracewell 552817 Church Activities Intercessors Group Tony Mason 627870 Flowers Christine Bracewell 552817 Magazine Editor Rhiannon Miller [email protected] Fellowship Jean Hendry 623603 Mothers’ Union Elaine Kirk 551265 Links Ruth Harris 621379 Traidcraft Rhiannon Miller 625903 PACT Jean Hendry 623603 Threshold bookings Heather Elliott [email protected] SARAC Revd Geoffrey Hall 636802 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 3 ‘All Is Safely Gathered In’ - A short reflection on Harvest - Five years ago I planted some fruit The world of today also presents a trees in our garden. Since then the picture of such varied experiences. plum tree has in most years provided I remember how in a visit to us with a good harvest, and this year Mozambique in the 1990’s I found is one of the best. But up to this year myself in a country which had our two pear trees, though blossoming experienced 10 years of drought in the spring have realised nothing conditions. But that year the rains – even when I took a member of St had come and people were planting John’s advice and tried to pollinate seeds wherever they could – even on them by means of a small brush!! But street edges as they hoped to gather this year there has been some success in what for them would be a bumper – a total of 10 pears from two trees harvest. have appeared. Enough for one or Harvest is more than just giving two ‘poached pear’ desserts in the thanks to God for the good times and Cameron household! the good harvests; it is a time when Such are the ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ of we are challenged to ensure that harvest time. And the Bible is full of the gifts of a creative God are more similar experiences. From the ‘seven equitably shared in our world. years of harvest and seven years of On Sunday 21st September I hope famine in the story Joseph in the many members of St John’s will come book of Genesis – to the parables of to give thanks to God for the Harvest Jesus, the variations of harvest time once more – it is always a service are graphically illustrated. of joy and thankfulness; but also to remember and be challenged by the words of this Harvest collect from the Prayer Book: Stir up we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they who have freely received may of thy bounty freely give. Bishop Bruce 4 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 Welcoming Our New Rector At the end of October a new chapter in the life of St John’s begins with the arrival of a new Rector, Graham Taylor. These services will particularly mark his arrival. The Insitution Of Graham Taylor As The Rector Of St John’s Thursday 30 October 7:30 pm By the Most Rev. David Chillingworth, Bishop of the Diocese, Primus As well as our own congregation we hope to welcome many guests from Aberdeen and Graham’s former congregations; clergy and lay readers from the diocese; and representatives of local churches in Perth and from the city itself. After the service there will be a Reception in the George Hotel, George Street to which all are invited First Services of Graham Taylor Sunday 2nd November This will be an opportunity for St John’s members to get to know their new Rector. Note that the services on this Sunday will be as follows: 8:30 am Holy Communion (said) 10:30 am Sung Eucharist for All Saints at which Graham will preside and preach followed by coffee/tea etc in the Threshold (The normal pattern of Matins and Alive for Christ will resume in December) Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 5 Picnic in Comrie, 16th August About twenty of us, young and old, physical experience of tracing the travelled across to St Serf’s church, path as it twists and turns. Walking Comrie for a day together at the end it as group also offers the experience of the school holidays. Our plans for of unexpected encounters as the a picnic outside were looking a little path brings people close together for uncertain due to the weather but on a moment before they move apart arrival we found that Kate Sainsbury, St Serf’s Lay Reader, had thoughtfully rearranged the furniture so that we could picnic inside the church building. She showed us key points of interest in the building and told us a little about the activities that take place there. After an informal time of fellowship over lunch Kate suggested that we walk the prayer labyrinth that is maintained in the glebe land next to their church and gave us leaflets about the history and purpose of labyrinths. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path which leads both into the centre and out again: there are no dead ends. Some people walk the labyrinth as an aid to contemplative prayer or reflection; others enjoy the 6 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 again. In many ways this experience successfully negotiated steep steps mirrors life! to a viewpoint where we paused to enjoy the view before following a Taking advantage of the afternoon more gentle gradient back. sunshine, Kate then guided many of us along the Lednock Millenium We all appreciated the opportunity Footpath, a level all-ability path to see a little of life in the diocese which leads alongside the River outside our own boundaries and all Lednock below Comrie Golf Course enjoyed our day out. We expressed with informative panels on the area’s our gratitude in a letter to Kate history and heritage. After pausing enclosing a small contribution to St by a small dam where children and Serf’s church funds. dogs were enjoying the water, we Lis Burke ‘Interim’ No Longer! When I came to help Patrick back in For Elaine and me it has been a January 2013 I did not envisage then privilege to share in the life of St how it would turn out the beginning John’s over this time – to renew of almost two years of interim friendships and make new ones. In ministry at St. John’s. It has been a the next few weeks you will welcome time of sad moments as well as joyful Graham Taylor, someone who back ones, but in all this I have witnessed in 2001 I ordained in the Diocese of a faithful congregation coping with Aberdeen and Orkney; and with him the early retirement of their Rector, you can now look forward to the next the refurbishment of their church stage of your journey as a Christian building, the appointment of a new community. Rector, and through that work to I will continue to conduct services sustain the fellowship and witness of and meet any special pastoral needs this congregation. up to the end of October. Bishop Bruce Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 7 From the Registers Lectionary 7 Sept 13th Sunday after Pentecost 12 Oct 18th Sunday after Pentecost Matins Philippians 4:1—9 Exodus 12:1—14 Matthew 22:1—14 Romans 13:8—14 Alive for Christ 19 Oct 19th Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 18:15–20 1 Thessalonians 1:1—10 Matthew 22:15—22 14 Sept Holy Cross Day Evensong 1 Corinthians 1:18—24 Isaiah 45:1—7 John 3:13—17 Mark 10:35—45 21 Sept Harvest Festival 26 Oct 20th Sunday after Pentecost Deuteronomy 26:1—11 1 Thessalonians 2:1—8 Luke 17:11—19 Matthew 22:34—46 Evensong Joel 2:21—27 2 Nov Feast of All Saints 2 Corinthians 9:6—15 1John 3:1—3 Matthew 5:1—12 28 Sept 16th Sunday after Pentecost Phillipians 2:1—13 9 Nov Remembrance Sunday Matthew 21:23—32 1 Corinthians 15 : 51 -57 John 6:37—40 5 Oct 17th Sunday after Pentecost Matins Isaiah 5:1—17 Philippians 3:4b—14 Alive for Christ Matthew 21:33—46 8 Quest — Sep–Oct 2014 Church Diary Regular services First Sunday 8:30 am Holy Communion (Scottish Prayer